GB1098505A - Improved resin coated fabrics and process of making - Google Patents

Abstract

A waterproof fabric having improved properties of pliability, crease-resistance and "hand" is produced by applying to at least one face of a textile base having a liquid absorbing capacity a "resin buffering agent" in amount so as to admit an only partial penetration of a resin within the textile base, applying resin in amount to make the textile waterproof such that not less than 6% and not more than 25% of the dry weight of said amount will penetrate into the base, the remaining part of said amount forming a homogeneous film outside and anchored to the base. Textile bases mentioned comprise natural, artificial, and synthetic fibres in suitable blends such as silk, cotton, rayon, cellulose, vinyl or acrylic fibres, polyester, polyamide fibres, e.g. blends of a non-elastic fiber and an elastic fiber, blends of cotton and polyamide fibers, and blends of mineral fibres such as glass fibres. The "resin buffering agent" may be a liquid non-solvent for the resin e.g. a petroleum distillate such as white spirit which may be impregnated into the base by immersion in a bath of the liquid and the excess thereof eliminated by say a blade or pressing rollers, or directly controlled amounts may be applied. The "resin buffering agent" may be spread only on the side of the fabric to be coated. Only a part say not more than 65% of the total resin required may be applied in a first step, followed by the steps of setting the resin and then applying the remaining resin in one or more stages. The resin may be applied as a solution e.g. by spreading with a smoothing blade, as a melt, or as a powder by spraying followed by the application of pressure and heat. The resin may be an acrylic resin, isocyanate modified polyester which may be used with accelerators, isocyanate modified polyether. Solvents mentioned are ethyl acetate, butyl and amyl acetate, ethyl and methyl glycol, acetone, methylethyl ketone, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, mixtures of toluene with methylethyl ketone. The setting of the resin may involve elimination of the solvent or the completion or continuation of polymerization. The textile base may also be impregnated with a water repellent agent such as a silicon compound say simultaneously with the "resin buffering agent", and a subsequent coating of a silicon compound applied to the side of the base not waterproofed. In the Example a textile base formed from polyester-cotton blend, or from polyamide yarns is treated. Apparatus for carrying out the process is described.